Board of Directors Meeting: Wednesday, March 3, 2021

 

WEST POINT SOCIETY OF DENVER

Board of Directors Meeting

MINUTES OF MEETING – Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Meeting conducted remotely via Zoom

 

1.       Call to order – Joel Martin at 1:00 PM

a.       The board observed a moment of silence for Lindy Blackburn ‘69

b.       Eleven voting board members in attendance, making a quorum.

c.       Board members attending: Dave Jackson, Steve Best, Andy Benson, Cory Wroblewski, Lou Schroeder, Bob Walcott, Jace Johnson, Joel Martin, Tim Griesmer, Katie Wilson, Sam Thiessen

d.       Brian MacDonald joined the meeting while in progress, bringing the total voting members to twelve.

e.       Guest: Guy Higgins, USNA

 

2.       Secretary’s Report/Approval of Minutes – Tim Griesmer

a.       Minutes from the December 2, 2020 board of directors meeting were approved 11-0.

 

3.       AOG Virtual Founders Day – Joel Martin

a.       25 individuals registered for the March 16 Virtual Founder’s Day.

b.       The event offers localized break-out rooms. Steve Best will lead the break-out room for the society.

 

4.       Board Member Roster- Bob Walcott

a.       The board is currently 14 members.

b.       The board reviewed terms that are set to expire in 2021 and possible new candidates for membership.

c.       Officer elections will be held after Founder’s Day.

 

5.       Admissions – Jace Johnson

a.       There are 350 open files with 11 offers made and 3 offers accepted.

b.       The quality of the candidates this year is great.

 

6.       Ethics and Leadership Seminar – Joel Martin

a.       The seminar is cancelled this year due to the COVID pandemic.

 

7.       Distinguished Society Application – Tim Griesmer

a.       Tim Griesmer is working on the DSA and will provide an update to the board.

b.       Company H2 Class of 1973 has been holding a monthly zoom meeting, which can be counted for DSA points.

c.       The board discussed holding a young grad event or a picnic sometime in May or June.

 

8.       Founder’s Day – Andy Benson

a.       The Board discussed several possible iterations for a 2021 Founder’s Day event, including a joint event with the Pike’s Peak chapter, possibly two events, an outdoor event, or an indoor event.

b.       Andy Benson and Katie Wilson will assess possible venues and options and report back to the board.

 

9.       Treasurer’s Report & Budget Review – Brian MacDonald

a.       Treasurer’s report was approved 12-0.

b.       The board reviewed the updated society budget and updated several line items. The budget was approved 12-0.

 

10.   Membership Update – Brian MacDonald

a.       Total paid memberships increased by 2.

b.       Total lifetime memberships increased by 4.

 

11.   2019 & 2020 Society Financial Review

a.       Tim Griesmer will conduct the financial reviews.

 

The next board meeting will be held May 5, 2021.

The meeting adjourned at 2:28 PM.

Submitted by: Tim Griesmer ‘02

Board of Directors Meeting: December 2, 2020

 

WEST POINT SOCIETY OF DENVER

Board of Directors Meeting

MINUTES OF MEETING – Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Meeting conducted remotely via Zoom

 

1.       Call to order – Joel Martin at 11:33 AM

a.       Twelve voting board members in attendance, making a quorum.

b.       Board members attending: Dave Jackson, Steve Best, Brian MacDonald, Andy Benson, Cory Wroblewski, Lou Schroeder, Jace Johnson, Mike Euperio, Joel Martin, Katie Wilson, Bob Walcott, Sam Thiessen

 

2.       Secretary’s Report/Approval of Minutes

a.       Minutes from the October 2020 board of directors meeting were approved 12-0.

b.       Dave Jackson will take the minutes for this meeting.

 

3.       Treasurer’s Report – Brian MacDonald

a.       The society has seen in increase in funds of about $700 due to new registrations.

b.       Treasurer’s report was approved 12-0.

 

4.       Membership Update – Brian MacDonald

a.       There are currently 154 paid members of the society with an increase of one additional lifetime membership.

 

5.       Admission – Jace Johnson submitted the following report for the board:

a.       There were 331 applications for Admissions this year.

b.       Of those, 40% have been closed by Admissions due to incompleteness or non-competitive files.

c.       Candidates are interviewing at congressional boards and Field Force final interviews. The congressional nominations slates were due by the end of November, but most have been delayed and expected to be submitted by the end of December.

d.       Candidates are working on DODMERS exams and CFAs.

 

6.       Founder’s Day – Andy Benson

a.       Results of Founders Day survey (total of 109 responses)

                                                               i.      In person - 41

                                                             ii.      Hybrid - 14

                                                           iii.      Virtual - 26

                                                           iv.      No preference - 28

b.       WP has stated that there will be no speakers attending FD at societies in person this year.  The Superintendent will present via video recording.  There is some consideration to have other speakers attend virtually, but nothing is solid so far.

c.       The Board discussed doing a “Founder’s Day” virtual to present the Supe’s video and conduct the annual general membership meeting.

d.       The general preference of the Board and President is for an in-person celebration but delaying it until May/June/spring. If this option proves untenable due to COVID, option C (above) will be re-visited.

e.       A motion was made and seconded to delay FD until the Spring 2021. Motion approved 12-0

f.        The Board will defer further discussions until next board meeting.

g.       The Board agree that members should be informed of the “NO March Founders Days” via FB & Sally port

 

7.       Tri-Academy Golf Tournament - Joel Martin

a.       Reservations have been made for Aug 13, 2021, 0800 shotgun at Colorado Springs.

 

8.       Leadership and Ethics Seminar – Joel Martin

a.       No update. If this will occur, it will probably be a virtual event.  Joel will get with the committee and further develop this for discussion at the next meeting.

 

9.       Other Business

a.       Dave Jackson wondered that since there will be no L&E Seminar in-person speakers and since the GEN Casey Friend-of-West Point award was approved, we might consider some type of virtual or other presentation, just so that GEN Casey can acknowledge the award. Joel will contact him & consider alternatives for presentations.

b.       The Board agreed to cancel the annual planning meeting scheduled for January, there being little expectation for events to plan for during 2021. The Budget will be developed for approval at the next normal board meeting.

c.       Brian MacDonald will solicit inputs and send out a draft budget proposal prior to the next meeting.

d.       Steve Best reported “for the good of the order” that Stover James’ (of WPSPP) wife is doing significantly better; also gave updates on AN game, A-AFA game & Army bowl game.

The next board meeting will be held March 3, 2021 at 11:30 AM. The board would like to return to an in-person meeting but anticipates doing another virtual meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 12:37 PM.

Submitted by: D Jackson, ‘73